Traditions are a part of all of our lives. Merriam-Webster defines tradition as, “an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom).”[1] Families have traditions. Nations have traditions. Churches have traditions. Traditions are a part of who we are. They give us an identity, a community to belong to, a heritage to enjoy. Full disclosure, some traditions are not good. But, some traditions are good. Scripture provides us with the standard to evaluate these things.
What is the value of good traditions? In the Christmas season, we sing Christmas Carols. For our present discussion, I will focus on those that are explicitly focused on Christ. The words of these songs recount the prophecies regarding the coming of Christ and their fulfillment according to God’s divine timetable. The songs remind us. They teach us. They shape us. God’s people, young and old, are shaped by the songs we sing… for good or for ill. The tradition of gathering with God’s people in local churches to sing Christmas Carols detailing Christ’s first advent continues to shape our identity. Scripture teaches that Christian fathers are to bring their “children up in the discipline and instruction (Greek paideia) of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Paideia has the idea of training your children. It involves bringing them up in a specific culture (i.e. enculturation) that in this case is marked or defined by Christ and his Word. Traditions are a part of training and culture. Doctrinally sound, doctrinally rich songs detailing Christ’s first advent are good traditions that should be maintained from generation to generation.
In my sermon this past Sunday I mentioned one of my family’s traditions. We first learned of this tradition from John and Noel Piper.[2] The best instructions we have found for a Jesse Tree are found at the blog named, Life In Skunk Hollow. [3] It has a unique name but it details the very helpful pattern we followed. We have had a “Jesse Tree” in our home each Christmas season for about ten years. In the beginning, we went outside with our kids and found a branch (without leaves) that would hold 25 small decorations and sit inside a vase. In recent years, we have used a small (bare) artificial tree that has a base on it. Why is it called a “Jesse Tree”? It is based upon Isaiah 11:1, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” So, what is a Jesse Tree? Beginning on December 1st we select reading number one, which is from Genesis chapter one. One of our children reads the passage and then hangs the appropriate decoration (a handmade one made of felt) on the Jesse Tree. The decoration corresponding to the Genesis chapter one reading is the planet Earth. After hanging that night’s decoration on the tree, we sing a Christmas Carol from a hymnbook together as a family. We have a different Scripture reading and decoration each night from December 1st – 25th. The readings trace the timeline of Scripture – Creation, Fall, and Redemption. We take turns with each child taking a different night’s reading, placing the decoration, and selecting a song. Afterward, we pray as a family. If your children are younger there will have to be adjustments made based upon their unique abilities. In our household, the Jesse Tree is a Christmas tradition. It is a good tradition. By the grace of God, it is shaping our whole family. It reminds us and teaches us that Christmas is about Jesus. It reminds and teaches us that, “as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15b).
Furthermore, we are doing Jesse Tree together as a family. Family relationships and family time are important. In our current culture, family relationships tend to be more distant. Family time tends to be rare or neglected. This makes it virtually impossible for fathers and mothers to make disciples of their children or grandchildren. Brothers and sisters, they are learning from us what is important. Relationships require time and effort. Don’t put off strengthening family ties. Do something about it today. Keep up the good traditions (from God’s perspective – according to Scripture). Get rid of traditions that aren’t good. Add some new ones as soon as you are able. Remember, traditions shape us. Deuteronomy 6 teaches us this very principle.
May Christ be honored in your heart and your home this Christmas.
[1] Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1996).
[2] https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/christmas-at-the-piper-home
[3] https://lifeinskunkhollow.blogspot.com/2010/09/jesse-tree-ornaments-finished.html